Patna: Ruling JD(U) on Friday attacked BJP for "trying to get political gain" in the upcoming Assembly elections by using the name of great socialist leader Karpoori Thakur.

"There were few photographs of Karpoori Thakur at the venue of anniversary function of the great socialist leader organised by BJP here which was splashed with banner and posters of BJP leaders," senior state minister and JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said.

"Karpoori Thakurji was a 'Gudri ke Lal' (shining life in poverty), but BJP is remembering him by organising a big event after spending a lot of money in his name for political gain," Rajak said.

"It is ironical that a person like Amit Shah supported by corporate houses is talking in praise of Thakur who lived in poverty throughout his life," he said.

Questioning the concern shown by BJP for Karpoori Thakur, Rajak said "Why did Narendra Modi government ignore him for Bharat Ratna award?"

Senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar while welcoming Bharat Ratna for Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also made a strong case for bestowing the honour on Karpoori Thakur.

Rajak, a close confidante of Kumar, also criticised BJP for portraying Thakur merely as a leader of Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs).

"It is wrong to confine Karpoori Thakur merely as a leader of EBCs. He in fact worked for well being of the poor and downtrodden and not for a particular section of the society," the JD(U) leader said.